Recommend me a fly reel

[jryoung]

So I won a Sage Response 9', 5wt rod and I need to pair it with a reel. The catch is that I'm really not much of a fly fisherman. I don't think I need much, just something at the entry level so I can get set up and try and stick myself in the ear. I figure my budget is $75-$175

Not sure what other factors I need to consider so I figured I'd put it out to the innernets.

 

[mdunc8]

If you haven't fished much before, I'd buy something cheap to start. Maybe even a used reel. Unless you're catching a lot of big fish, the reel actually doesn't get used much at all.

 

[fowladdict]

Check out the 2250 sage reel or the Ross CLA reel. The Ross CLA reel might be a little out of your price point, but it is my favorite setup on my 5-wt. The Ross also has a lower level reel called the Flyrise. I have never checked it out though. If you want to stay on the cheap, the Okuma brand isn't half bad. My full sinking line is on the Okuma.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

JR

I am a pretty novice fly fisherman as well, and in the last 2 years have been getting back into it after the 10+ years since college. I picked up a Cabela's reel made by Lamson (link below) for a really good deal. Some of the more experienced guys may be able to comment more on it, but it has been a good reel for me. I picked up a second spool for mine, for the occassion Lamson quit supporting the model.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Reels%7C/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105572880/Cabelas-WLx-Fly-Reel/1159134.uts?destination=%2Fcategory%2FFly-Fishing-Reels%2F105572880.uts&WTz_l=DirectLoad%3Bcat105572880

 

[Ben Lamb]

So I won a Sage Response 9', 5wt rod and I need to pair it with a reel. The catch is that I'm really not much of a fly fisherman. I don't think I need much, just something at the entry level so I can get set up and try and stick myself in the ear. I figure my budget is $75-$175

Not sure what other factors I need to consider so I figured I'd put it out to the innernets.

What kind of fish are you going to be chasing? 5wt is a great all-around trout rod. 99% of the time you won't need a bomb-proof drag so I'd look at a used English made Orvis Battenkill or Mid-Arbor.

Ross, Abel, etc are great reels but you pay for the quality. I have two Lamsons that have been problematic for the reel coming apart after switching to right hand retrieve (I fish lefty). My Galvan reels have been incredible in terms of performance and longevity. My 5wt reel is an old Galvan OB. I've had it for over 10 years and only needed to replace one spring that broke after winter fishing (Reel froze solid and the spring snapped).

Most trout reels are line holders. Get a mid-priced one from a trusted name. You can step up to the big name stuff if you decide to go gear crazy.

 

[Beartooth83]

Sierra Trading post has a couple Sage reels on sale that would match up nicely on that Response.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~fly-reel/?perPage=96

Also, I've got a nice used Redington 5/6wt reel sitting around not getting any use if you are interested. Loaded with backing, green weight forward line, and leader loop. 40 bucks to your door. I'll send a pic if you'd like

 

[putm2sleep]

Nice rod.

What Ben said - get a competitvely priced, solid reel and my 2 cents, the second spool - so ya have a floating line and sinking line set up.

Just warning ya, new hobby, so ya know how it goes....you are going to want to get a second rod, maybe an 8 ft 4wt, and then another reel and then the host of flies and then there are waders, boots, and then you will want a belly / Uboat too.
2X if you have a kid

 

[MKotur325]

I have a Lamson Guru on my 4wt that I use for 85%ish of my fishing. Has been a really solid reel for me. I have an older model Ross on my 6wt. Also been a really solid reel. I would highly recommend either.

 

[idnative1948]

These are good reels without having to break the bank. I even found a second spool at a yard sale for $10 (NIB).

JR

I am a pretty novice fly fisherman as well, and in the last 2 years have been getting back into it after the 10+ years since college. I picked up a Cabela's reel made by Lamson (link below) for a really good deal. Some of the more experienced guys may be able to comment more on it, but it has been a good reel for me. I picked up a second spool for mine, for the occassion Lamson quit supporting the model.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Reels%7C/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105572880/Cabelas-WLx-Fly-Reel/1159134.uts?destination=%2Fcategory%2FFly-Fishing-Reels%2F105572880.uts&WTz_l=DirectLoad%3Bcat105572880

 

[JohnDeereGreen]

Ditto on the Ross CLA. It's the kind of reel that you will find yourself wishing you'd bought two years from now.I bought mine after a couple other reels didn't work out, and have had it for a long time now. Two spools is also a good idea. It's tempting to buy a cheaper reel starting out (I know cause I did just that) but after you lose some fish cause the drag just doesn't perform the way you want it to, you start to think about better reels. A CLA #2 sells for 195 on Amazon, and you'd never buy another. Those reels have a really nice drag system that doesn't gum up easily, and responds to fine adjustments.

FWIW, I spent yesterday fighting feisty carp on Canyon Ferry on a 6 wt. and using my CLA to do most of the work, and I never lost a one.

 

[AH_14]

Get an Echo Ion--- spend the $80....great reel all you need on trout and I have landed CARP up to 15 lbs on it with no problem.....Drag system is perfect and probably should be priced at close to $200---nothing is even close under 100 dollars...Next jump would be a LAMSON Konic around $140----

*Buy a good line---Rio Gold or Grand or have a fly shop fit you for a good line..All the companies make good lines...Makes a huge difference..

*Buy an Echo and a good line from your local mom and pop fly shop if you can and you are set...(Whole setup should be around $140)

Andy

 

[MThuntr]

I have a Cabela's Prestige Premier on my 5wt Winston rod and it does well but may be a little heavy for my liking. Watch the sales and you can get some decent prices on entry level name brand reels.

As Ben said, most reels on trout rods are there for holding line and only ocassionally get used for fighting fish. Get an extra spool so you can switch from floating to sinking line if you choose.

 

[Summitthunting]

Try Allen fly fishing. http://www.allenflyfishing.com/trout-ii-reel-series/
Their machine work and finish is superb plus the customer service is great.

 

[kansasdad]

When I was a kid fishing with uncle Dutch, I was enamored with his Pfleuger automatic reel. He would be horseback and I was his creel boy, picking up his little brookies that didn't make it up to his creel attached to the saddle horn. Years later when I bought for myself an Orvis Battenkill with exposed rim. I felt like I was in fly fishing heaven, except I sometimes miss skiing the littlest brookies back to the bank using the automatic reel!

 

[sethkuhl]

Check out the 2250 sage reel or the Ross CLA reel. The Ross CLA reel might be a little out of your price point, but it is my favorite setup on my 5-wt. The Ross also has a lower level reel called the Flyrise. I have never checked it out though. If you want to stay on the cheap, the Okuma brand isn't half bad. My full sinking line is on the Okuma.

The lower end I have of ross is a flystart. under a hundred and I have no complaints with it. great reel for the money.

 

[Ben Lamb]

When I was a kid fishing with uncle Dutch, I was enamored with his Pfleuger automatic reel. He would be horseback and I was his creel boy, picking up his little brookies that didn't make it up to his creel attached to the saddle horn. Years later when I bought for myself an Orvis Battenkill with exposed rim. I felt like I was in fly fishing heaven, except I sometimes miss skiing the littlest brookies back to the bank using the automatic reel!

I have three autos: 2 from my maternal grandfather and a Shakespeare from my father. Dad's was his first day's wage in the early 1950's. He received it as payment for bucking hay. Never gonna get rid of those reels.

 

[devon deer]

So I won a Sage Response 9', 5wt rod and I need to pair it with a reel. The catch is that I'm really not much of a fly fisherman. I don't think I need much, just something at the entry level so I can get set up and try and stick myself in the ear. I figure my budget is $75-$175

Not sure what other factors I need to consider so I figured I'd put it out to the innernets.

Actually you need to pair it with a line first, Rio do great lines, i believe they made/make the fly lines for Sage, so you can be sure it will match your rod, then buy the reel.
As already mentioned the Orvis Battenkill is a nice reel with a good clutch.
So my advice to all the people i teach is spend most of your $ (£) on rod first, then line, then reel.
You are one lucky bugger winning the rod!
Cheers
Richard

 

[dcopas78]

I would pair it with a Sage myself. I have a Sage 3wt outfit that I fish with most of the time in the Smokies. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is a great rod and a great reel IMO.

 

[tjones]

Phluger but then again that was 1984

 

[Rimrock]

I saw a fly reel advertised in the Bozeman Chronicle classifieds a while back, for $3500!!
Don't recall the details, as I block that kind of thing out of the brain.
Just went and looked, and I still have the classic Pflueger Medalist. IIRC, those used to cost ~$25-35!!
But on a nice Sage rod, I agree, maybe something a little nicer (although not even slightly more functional!). No sense getting snorted at by elitists out on the river...